Wanted More Minor Hockey Referees

By Kelly Sharp

    Linesman Curtis Townsley handling face-off duties in minor hockey tourney

Last year, three young hockey referees quit officiating after absorbing verbal abuse and physical threats following a Prince George minor hockey game, a game between nine and ten-year-olds. For every fifty newcomers to join the officiating fraternity, another fifty referees leave Prince George minor hockey.

“We are in desperate need for more referees,” Prince George minor hockey head referee Paul Hamel said.

A lack of respect for the referee is one of the reasons for a critical shortage of 15-24 year-olds officiating hockey in Prince George. The verbally abusive coach or parent is in the minority around the hockey rink. But a derogatory comment or harsh glare can quickly dampen a young official’s enthusiasm to skate onto the ice.

Encouragement from experienced referees helped Alex Teichroeb develop the mental toughness needed to survive in a game where criticism is heard more often than praise.

“I feel they are yelling at the jersey, not me,”Teichroeb said.

“It’s when they get personal I draw the line.”

Alex Teichroeb began wearing the official’s stripes when he was only twelve years-old. Now at 18 years of age he has progressed to working as a linesman in the BC Hockey League. One of his goals is to officiate in the Western Hockey League.

“Officiating is so much fun, I love it,” he said.

Seventeen year-old Curtis Townsley, in his fifth year as a minor hockey referee, admitted school and other part time jobs are also factors in the fall out of younger officials.

Paul Hamel has been officiating hockey in Prince George for 29 years. He is one of 25 senior officials in Prince George and not the only one wondering where the younger referees are to eventually replace an aging officiating crew.

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